University of California San Diego

No deadlines published for this cycle yet. Check the source link above — we'll add them as soon as the school posts them.

Essay prompts (8)

1. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

2. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

3. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

4. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

5. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

6. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

7. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

8. piq2026-27350 words

   Applies to: All applicants answer 4 of 8

   Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California San Diego has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

UC does not publish an AI-specific policy on its official Personal Insight Questions page; it requires that 'Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions.'

How reviews use this page

When you request a review for a University of California San Diego supplement, the feedback is grounded in exactly what you see here: the prompt itself, its word limit, and what the school publishes about its values and programs. That's the whole claim — calibrated to the prompt and the school's own published guidance, scored against a consistent rubric. Not insider knowledge, and never a rewrite: Second Read is a coach, not a ghostwriter. It flags weaknesses and tells you what to fix and why; it never writes a sentence of your essay.

Something wrong on this page?

A wrong deadline is worse than no deadline. If anything here doesn't match the school's official page, tell us — same-day fix is the goal.